Content Management System: A Brief Introduction

What is a content management system?

So, a content management system is basically a set of programs allowing users to control all aspects of digital content, from creation, editing to publishing. CMSs usually have 2 main purposes, which are enterprise content management (ECM) and web content management (WCM). 

An ECM smooths the way for teamwork between company members by controlling documents, digital assets and records retention functionalities. It also provides users administrator rights at different levels to access the business’ digital asset. Meanwhile, a WCM enables authority for website publishing. 

Every CMS contains 2 parts: front office for content management and back office for content delivery. Through front-end services, users can customize their content on different channels and platforms with easy steps. It depends on the business’ field and personality that their CMSs are designed for various kinds of content like articles, audio, photos or videos. On the other hand, back-end services show the final display of the entire content to general viewers.

Content management system applications

The journalism and marketing industries sure are the ones having an intimate relationship with CMSs as their works all depend on content. Most news agencies apply the integrated newsroom model in order to create content for their newspaper, online newspaper and other media channels. Moreover, reporters have to work remotely on a frequent basis, which leads to their extra requirements on the CMSs to support their work and maximize their effectiveness. Some special features like automated multi-lingual translation, voice assistant or credit watermark stamping on photos may be added, depending on the news agencies.

Not only journalism needs CMSs but every other industry considers content the main substance for their digital marketing strategies. Digitization has encouraged businesses to invest in website and social media content to enhance their brands’ names. Nowadays, customers get knowledge about a business through their official websites and social media accounts. Therefore, building eye-catching content that can express the company’s messages is becoming a crucial process to give out the best impression. CMSs are also useful for one-on-one email marketing. Businesses can nourish their relationships with clients through automated emails based on designed templates. 

Choosing the right content management system

The first step to make any decision is to understand the business’ characters and needs. You should analyze the company scale, type of content you want to publish, main channels to run campaigns on… to choose the right application that optimizes your resources. Another factor that can’t be left out is the role-based management level. 

Having solid experience in the media industry, IDS Software has delivered different projects related to CMSs for various clients. We are able to design and execute a customized CMS based on your own requirements, utilizing your potential to take your business into a new scale. If you have any inquiry, feel free to contact us.